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September 03, 2019

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World Oceans Day Celebration 2019

In December 2008, the United Nations officially recognised 8 June as World Oceans Day (WOD). Every year since then, WOD has been providing opportunities to help protect, honour, and conserve the ocean. A theme is assigned annually following current maritime developments – for 2019, WOD celebrates with the theme 'Gender and the Ocean', which explores the gender dimension of our relationship with the ocean.

In conjunction with WOD this year, MIMA conducted a documentary screening and discussion, as well as an art competition. Both programs aimed to raise awareness on the importance of oceans and its living resources to our wellbeing. Gender equality aspects were very much incorporated in the discussions.

(i) Documentary screening and discussion

Participants paying attention to the documentaries and discussing their themes

The screening was held at MIMA on 21 June 2019, with three short documentaries featuring the traditional fisheries industry, women and marine conservation, and women in non-fishing related industries. The screening allowed staff from different backgrounds to discuss different approaches to ocean and resource management. The discussion yielded workable suggestions, including areas to be considered in future studies.

(ii) ‘People and the Ocean’ Art Competition

MIMA also conducted an ocean art contest themed 'People and the Ocean' with Sekolah Kebangsaan Gombak Utara on 3 July 2019. The competition focused on encouraging and rewarding creativity among primary school students and helping them to better understand the role of the ocean.

MIMA's researcher from the Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment (CMER) Nurul Ashikin Zakaria delivered a talk on the importance of the ocean to our general wellbeing, to raise awareness on ocean issues.

A ceremony was later held during the school assembly where the competition winners were asked to share and display their artwork to inspire their peers. MIMA extended its sincere appreciation to the management of Sekolah Kebangsaan Gombak Utara for enabling a smooth programme that achieved its objectives.

MIMA researcher interacting with the school students during the programme

MIMA hopes to continue engaging the youth and general public in raising awareness on ocean-related areas as well as to continue making meaningful contributions to oceans management.